In the park Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

It is a cliché that the Russians are fond of chess. It is also a truism. This is a quiet spring afternoon (rather chilly for my taste) in the Tauride Gardens which is one of St. Petersburg's many city parks. On other benches there were mothers watching their children play or office workers enjoying a quick sandwich in the park. But these three gentlemen were so utterly absorbed by their game of chess that I could probably have walked up and shot the position of the pieces on the board. But I didn't, so I can't say who won.
I cropped and resized for the web, no other postprocessing.

avigur_11, Pompey, Galeota, Rinie_Hoff, mbravo, jhm, Burnham, nwoehnl, Jeppe, mortijo, touristdidi, mikhalych, Dionysos has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

avigur_11 (21315) 2004-06-02 14:11

BEautiful shot, Per. I like the waythey sit, like they were escaping feom reality for a short period, ignoring everything around. I like the concetration on their faces, and especially the one who's waiting for his turn. Well done.

rudymalou (800) 2004-06-02 15:05

Interesting picture, I like playing chess and it's not usual to see that kind of scene in Belgium. Shooting from top would be great but I understand your respect of the players

Hanssie (9133) 2004-06-02 15:50

Really a daily life in St. Petersburg,
nice to see these men in their game.
Nice composition, Per !

Olga (927) 2004-06-02 16:28

hey this is a Russian classic!! (trust me i am russian). great shot. I would have tried to make it a bit lighter, for eg, with a photoeditor.

Galeota (10334) 2004-06-02 16:51

Very nice shot! Well, my advice is not totally impartial because I've uploaded today a photo also with a chess player ;o). But really like your composition here. Good work.

RGatward (19759) 2004-06-02 18:06

Lots of chess today. Very well observed, with all three subject being drawn into te image through focus of the game.

spence (1554) 2004-06-02 18:20

Lovely park bench shot Per. I like the way they are all so intently focussed on the board, their similar clothing, the way the two seated men hold their legs. I'd crop a little more tightly from the left but I like that you've left some context in the shot.

Rinie_Hoff (9334) 2004-06-03 3:13

Hoi Per ;-) (hoi is Hi in Dutch), this is a nice pciture of these older man playing chess, the composition is reall y nice, I like the way they hang on the bench, you would get tired of it.

yesterday (9787) 2004-06-03 4:15

Thanks fore your time and comment on my pic.

Excellent seen and compoced street life photo, it all look very nature. Excellent light and contrast, good color to. I like it.

jhm (85052) 2004-06-03 7:20

Hi Per, play a game of chess, a really daily life in Russia, sharp and clear picture, nice composition!
Well done!

Burnham (2426) 2004-06-03 8:48

i like the way they chose to sit outside even if it seems pretty chilly, they just dressed up in their warm coats - "Der findes ikke dårligt vejr, kun forkerte klær'`:o) Very well seen and captured.

roshangar (1495) 2004-06-03 8:57

Beautiful comosition,I liked it very much and well done!

nwoehnl (120) 2004-06-03 16:27

Great scene from the park, Per. The posture of the sitting guys is very interesting - the chess board between them - and the third man watching is very well captured also. I like how all three of them seem so very focused on enjoying the game, and appear to be totally oblivious to your presence. Well done, great colors on the park environment in the back.

Jeppe (18624) 2004-06-03 17:30

Yes Per for some reason I would have guessed on Russia as location - if you had asked me before posting. This seams to be the daily life for many people around in parks - Very well spotted - I like the concentrated look at the left player :-)

roconnell (327) 2004-06-05 23:11

They do indeed seemed utterly absorbed in the game, both players and onlooker. The observer creates a nice triagular composition with a great leading line to the board. Well done.

sn00zie (2384) 2004-08-10 12:10

nice and engrossing shot.. the man on the left looks so deep in his thoughts, planning his next move maybe.. the man standing seems to be a passerby though am not sure.

touristdidi (8563) 2004-08-11 5:18 [Comment]

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mikhalych (1311) 2004-08-26 9:56

You managed to catch their involvement in game. Well done.

It's a pity that nowadays one can seldom see a young face among those players. Only elders keep this good tradition alive.

pione (2031) 2004-09-29 11:32

Great performance of life! Compliments!

Later point

Dionysos (1234) 2004-11-06 4:51

I know very well parks of St. Pb. and people. This photo shows very well the meaing of the parks for Russian people. I like it too much.

Niara78 (0) 2005-01-16 10:34

Every time I see such a beautiful photo it makes my love for Russia/Belarus grow stronger.